Kersten Stevens, Queen of the Violin and six-time winner of the historic Amateur Night and Showtime at The Apollo in Harlem performed her new single “Release the Grace”.
It was performed to a sold-out audience with the music industry’s most respected jazz musicians including Bassist extraordinaire and 8x Grammy winner Christian McBride, Billy Kilson, Drums; Miki Hayama, Keys; Parker McAllister Bass; and David Rosenthal, Guitar. Kersten lit the stage with her precise and fiery violin performance, mesmerizing the audience to numerous standing ovations.
The star-studded band performed songs from the new album QUEEN RISING, co-produced by Christian McBride. McBride performs on all eight tracks and co-wrote four original songs including the single, “Release the Grace,” with a take on Luther Vandross’ “Never Too Much,” title track “Queen Rising”, “Beginnings and Endings” and “You’ve Been Crowned.” The pair also collaborated on three thrilling new arrangements: “Best Part” by H.E.R.,“Fantasy” by Earth, Wind & Fire and “Someday We’ll All Be Free“ by Donny Hathaway.
Kersten’s new album QUEEN RISING, features some of today’s most talented jazz artists including, Eric Harland. Harland is a multi-Grammy nominated drummer who’s worked with music greats Robert Glasper, Esperanza Spaulding, Wayne Shorter, Joshua Redman, and McCoy Tyner and is considered one of the most in-demand drummers of his generation.
Renowned flutist Ragan Whiteside, recognized as the 2022 Best Contemporary Jazz Artist by the Jazz Music Awards, showcases her extraordinary talents on the song, “Queen Rising.”
The star-studded musicianship included Grammy-nominated piano/ keyboard player, arranger, and musical director Miki Hayama, whose credits include (Aretha Franklin, Nnenna Freelon, Jazzmeia Horn, Kenny Garret, and others) plays throughout the album and jointed Kersten on stage at City Winery.
QUEEN RISING was mixed by 10x Grammy Award-winning audio engineer Todd Whitelock (Josh Groban, Idina Menzel, Harry Connick Jr., to Yo-Yo Ma, Kronos Quartet, Chick Corea, and Wynton Marsalis.)
QUEEN RISING featuring the original new single, “Release The Grace,” is streaming now on all D.S.P.s.
Kersten Stevens ~ Queen of the Violin
Kersten Stevens, Queen of the Violin, is among the most exciting and unique emerging artists in jazz. She is a six-time winner of the historic Amateur Night and Showtime at The Apollo; she’s performed with music greats Kim Burrell, renowned jazz violinist Regina Carter, international jazz bassist Christian McBride, and performed for esteemed notables President Barack Obama, Ray Charles, Denzel Washington among others, now launches her much anticipated fifth album, QUEEN RISING. Her latest release, QUEEN RISING, leads a growing breed of performers innovating jazz authenticity by collaborating with some of the industry’s most outstanding and respected musicians. Listen to QUEEN RISING on all DSPs Connect with Kersten @kerstenstevens kerstenstevens.com
Christian McBride is an 8x- Grammy award-winning bassist and one of the world’s best jazz musicians and innovators performing with diverse musical icons. He’s performed with James Brown, Paul McCartney, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Chaka Khan, Mos Def, Queen Latifah, and Quest Love. McBride, who co-produced QUEEN RISING, performs on all eight tracks of and co-wrote four original songs with Kersten: “Queen Rising”, “Release The Grace”, “Beginnings and Endings”and “Crowned.” The pair also collaborated on three new arrangements: “Someday We’ll All Be Free”, “Fantasy”, and “Best Part”.
Photo credit: 1) Kersten Stevens Backstage at City Winery celebrating the release of her new album Queen Rising, featuring the single, “Release the Grace”(LtoR) Billy Kilson, Drums; Miki Hayama, Keys; Christian McBride, Bass and Queen Rising producer, Kersten Stevens, Jazz Violinist; Parker McAllister, Bass; and David Rosenthal, Guitar. 2) Christian McBride and Kersten Stevens. By Jeremy Smith.
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